Robusta Maculata

The Robusta Maculata is a recent dual-purpose breed of chicken originating in the city of Rovigo in the Veneto region of north-eastern Italy. It was created between 1959 and 1965, by cross-breeding Buff Orpingtons with the commercial strain known in Italy as "White America".

History

The Robusta Maculata was created between 1959 and 1965 at the Stazione Sperimentale di Pollicoltura, or experimental chicken breeding centre, of Rovigo, in the Veneto. It was conceived as a dual-purpose breed, and derived from crossing the Buff Orpington with a commercial strain widely raised in Veneto in the 20th century, known in Italy as "White America". The White America is believed to have been based on mutant white Barnevelders, with contributions from White Leghorn, Rhode Island White and White Rock stock; in early 2012 it was no longer considered a breed.^[1][2]

A standard for the Robusta Maculata was published by the now defunct Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Specie Avicole, or national association of breeders of avian species, in the latter part of the 20th century, and is published for historic interest on the website of the Federazione Italiana Associazioni Avicole, the federation of Italian poultry associations, the authority governing poultry breeding in Italy. In early 2012, the breed was not officially recognised by the FIAV.^[1][3]

Together with the Pépoi, the Ermellinata di Rovigo, the Robusta Lionata and the Padovana, the Robusta Maculata is one of the five chicken breeds included in the CO.VA. project of Veneto Agricultura, the regional administration for agriculture of the Veneto. The project includes among its aims the conservation of local avian species of limited distribution, and the conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, and has published a detailed description of the breed.^[4]

Breed numbers remain low. A study published in 2007 used a figure of approximately 1100 for the total breeding stock, of which approximately 300 were cocks.^[5]

Characteristics

The Robusta Maculata has yellow skin and legs, which are traditionally preferred by Italian consumers of chicken meat.^[1]

According to the old ANSAV standard, the Robusta Maculata is silver-white, with black and silver neck hackles, and irregular black or dark grey markings elsewhere on the body. The tail and wing-tips are black with dark green lights. The skin and legs are yellow, the ear-lobes are red. The comb is single and well developed, with 6–8 points. Average weight is 3.8–4.2 kg (8.4–9.3 lb) for cocks, 2.8–3.0 kg (6.2–6.6 lb) for hens.^[3] The more recent description by Veneto Agricultura gives greater weights: 4.0–4.5 kg for cocks and 2.8–3.3 kg for hens.^[4]

The eggs are pinkish brown and weigh 55–60 g.^[3]

Uses

The Robusta Maculata is a dual-purpose breed. Hens lay 140–160 eggs per year. In meat production, birds reach a weight of 1.9–2.0 kg in four months, and are usually slaughtered at 18 weeks.^[6]

References